From memory if you do your PPLH first this does allow your passengers to legally contribute to the cost of hiring the aircraft as long as you also contribute your share. You could also fly a variety of other private operations eg. cattle spotting/mustering on a station that owns their own aircraft that would allow you to build hours towards a CPLH.
I believe this is more common for fixed wing students in Aus and as stated above most Australian rotary wing students favour the less creative, simpler and quicker option of stealing the cash and going straight through to CPLH.
Last edited by 2leftskids; 7th May 2011 at 00:31.